India loses to Afghanistan in FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival in Baku
The India Under-15 team sought a response through counterattacks but failed to pull level. | Photo Credit: AIFF Media
The India Under-15 team sought a response through counterattacks but failed to pull level. | Photo Credit: AIFF Media
India lost 1-2 to Afghanistan in the quarterfinals for positions 81 to 88 in the FIFA Under-15 World Cup & Festival at the Hovsan Competition Complex Pitch 1A in Baku on Thursday.
The Blue Colts will now face Kazakhstan, which lost to Hungary, in the semifinals for positions 85 to 88 later in the day.
Afghanistan opened the scoring against the run of play through Mohammad Mustafa (15’) before Shahzada Sultani (27’) doubled the side’s advantage. Nibas Meetei Wahengbam (36’) reduced the deficit, but the Blue Colts could not find an equaliser.
India began with attacking intent and created a succession of opportunities in the sixth minute. R. Lalremruatfela delivered a low cross from the left that the Afghanistan goalkeeper spilt, but Victor Lalawmpuia could not react quickly enough to capitalise.
The Afghanistan defenders were unable to clear the danger, allowing Nibas to regain possession inside the penalty area. His attempted lay-off eluded Lalawmpuia before the ball reached an unmarked Lalremruatfela, whose left-footed effort drew a diving save from the goalkeeper.
The Blue Colts threatened again in the ninth minute when Nibas threaded a fine through ball from the wing towards Lalawmpuia. However, the Afghanistan goalkeeper read the danger and came forward to gather before the Indian attacker could reach it.
Despite India’s promising start, Afghanistan took the lead. Sultani delivered a cross from the left into the penalty area, where Mustafa got away from his marker, Birjit Singh Amom, and connected with a right-footed volley to put his side ahead.
Afghanistan extended its advantage in the 27th minute after pressing India into an error. Under pressure from Khair Mohammad Nazari, Nara Meitei Loushambam played a misplaced pass that was intercepted by Sultani. The Afghanistan player weaved past the Indian defenders before driving a powerful near-post strike into the roof of the net.
India sought a response through counterattacks and its persistence eventually brought a goal in the 37th minute.
Lalremruatfela gathered a long ball inside the penalty area and laid it off for Nibas, who slotted home to bring the Blue Colts back into the contest.
India pushed forward in search of an equaliser in the remaining minutes, but Afghanistan preserved its advantage and secured the victory.
India 1 (Nibas Meetei Wahengbam 36’) lost to Afghanistan 2 (Mohammad Mustafa 15’, Shahzada Sultani 27’)
Published on Oct 29, 2026
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